WHEREAS, the potential threat to life and property from wild fires is extreme and could cause extensive damage to homes, public facilities, businesses, public utilities, and infrastructure in Washington State and endanger the public welfare;

WHEREAS, wild fire fighting resources are scarce throughout the state, region, and nation due to current and projected fire fighting efforts in other areas;

WHEREAS, current resource availability would not be adequate to address the outbreak of simultaneous large fires in Washington State and in such a case the National Guard would be needed to assist other jurisdictions and agencies in fire fighting duties;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine Gregoire, Governor of the state of Washington, having found the above-noted conditions to exist and under Chapters 38.08, 38.52, and 43.06 RCW, do hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists in Washington State and direct the supporting plans and procedures to the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented. State agencies and departments are directed to utilize state resources and to do everything possible to assist affected political subdivisions in an effort to respond to and recover from these events. I also hereby order into active state service the Washington National Guard, or such part thereof as may be necessary in the opinion of the Adjutant General, to perform such duties as directed by competent authority.

Signed and sealed with the official seal of the State of Washington, on this 11th day of August 2005, at Olympia, Washington.

		By:
		Christine O. Gregoire
		Governor
BY THE GOVERNOR:
Sam Reed
Secretary of State

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